People

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

Lifeboatmen’s Surprise for Coxswain and his Bride

Mr Sidney Cann, 57 Irsha Street, Appledore, coxswain of Appledore lifeboat, and Mrs Ruth White of Cranford House, Westward Ho! who were married at Westward Ho! Baptist Church on Saturday had planned a quiet wedding, but members of the lifeboat crew had other ideas.
Under the leadership of the engineer, Mr L G W Richards, they formed a guard of honour outside the Church and gave the couple ‘a roaring send-off’. Rockets soaring into the air set all the local dogs barking, Mr Richards told the Gazette, and indicated to Capt P Brennan, local hon. secretary of the RNLI ‘Cox’n spliced’: launched on service’.
Mr Cann, who is 59 years of age, is understood to be the longest serving officer in the Institution. He has served with the Appledore lifeboat for more than 30 years and holds the Institution’s bronze medal and bar. He has helped to save some 250 lives and also holds a silver medal for long service. His bride owns a baker’s shop in Westward Ho!
The Rev G H Watkeys officiated at the service and Miss Beer was organist.
Given away by her son, Mr Peter White, the bride wore a black dress with a turquoise bodice overlaid with black lace, a black coat and turquoise accessories. Mr Richard Cann, nephew of the bridegroom was best man.
Following a reception at Beachlea Cafe, Westward Ho! Mr and Mrs Cann left for a honeymoon in Eastbourne.

Two Sisters are Queen’s Guides

Bideford achievement

Less than a year after her sister Brenda was made a Queen’s Guide, Janet Bartlett, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs W E Bartlett, of 8 Meadowville Road, Bideford, has achieved a similar distinction.
This ‘double’ is believed to be unique in local Guide companies, although Bideford and District Girl Guides’ Association now has two mothers on its committee each of whom has had two daughters as Queen’s Guides – Mrs Bartlett and Mrs Dymond.
Janet, who was 16 last month, is a pupil of Edgehill College. She is a member of the 1st Bideford Company of Girl Guides and it to become a Ranger. As part of her special work for the Queen’s Badge, she helped at Broomhayes Nursery and she is a Sunday School teacher at St Peter’s, East-the-Water.
Janet will receive her badge from the County Commissioner, Mrs J E Eastley, in a ceremony at Bideford Guide HQ on November 14th.

Pigeon Pioneers Pleased in 1961

The longest distance young bird race ever attempted by Bideford fanciers proved an outstanding success for the Racing Pigeon Club.

Eight pioneers sent their best candidates to compete in this classic marathon held in conjunction with the West of England Continental Amalgamation. Some doubts expressed prior to the race, that the distance from Margate of approximately 245 miles would prove beyond the physical capacity of immature pigeons of about six months of age. Such was not to be the case, however.
Race controller Waldron after consultation with liberator Hancock, decided to release the racers at 7.30am in ideal weather conditions. Shortly after 2pm the pigeons began homing to their local lofts, and finally six out of the eight competing members had timed in arrivals.
Congratulations are due to all these very gallant pigeons for blazing another new trail in local pigeon circles. Appledore and Northam, however, derive most pleasure and credit from the race as they provided the first five winners, the sole Bideford arrival bringing up the rear. Winners and their velocities are: Cann 1,061; Lamey 998; Joe Keen 994: James 966; Jewell 963; and Waldron 797.
So ends another successful attempt at long distance young bird racing by those who have the courage of their convictions, and the faith in their racers to surmount the obstacles en route.